Everett Jenkins 2015: 2016

Monday, April 25, 2016

Sexual Identity? Racial Identity? Does It Matter?

Composed and posted on June 16, 2015

Rachel Dolezal, just resigned as the President of the Spokane NAACP, essentially because it has been revealed that she is a white person who self-identifies as being black. If a man can self identify as being a woman, is there a reason why a white person cannot self identify as being a black person? Does it matter any more? Isn't the most important thing what is contained in the person's heart?

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Health Initiatives of Local YMCAs

Composed and posted on June 15, 2015

For those interested in "acting locally" to make a difference, I offer the role that organizations like the local YMCAs can do. Here is a recent New York Times article on such work, including a profile of the work done by my local YMCA.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/06/15/the-y-m-c-a-s-work-outside-the-gym/?_r=1

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

In My Younger Days

Carol,

In my younger days, I might have argued that the name of the college should be changed. Given my Native heritage, I might have even wanted to change it back to an "Indian" name. But I am not that young anymore.

These days, it is the best I can do to merely "support" the actions of others ... when those actions make sense to me. With regards to changing the name of the mascots, I think it is a teachable moment (if done appropriately) that can foster a better understanding of other cultures. I certainly think it can make one pause to think about whether every Amherst student should be indoctrinated by singing a song that historically is not true.

However, whether the mascot is changed or not will not cause me to lose any sleep. As you and I both know, there are more important things to do in this world than to fret over a college mascot. For me, on today's agenda, is getting home by 7pm tonight so that I can sneak onto my local golf course and play six holes while watching the sun set. That is my highest priority for the day.

Skip

________________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Lord Jeffrey Amherst

Do you feel the name of the college should be changed? Why or why not?

Carol
__________________________________________________________________________________________

I have been following the debate about the retention of Lord Jeffrey Amherst as the College's mascot with some interest. Initially, I had ambivalence about the retention. Now, after reading the various posts, I find myself being inclined to support the perceived initiative of the current administration to change the mascot.

By way of background for this position, I should point out that I was born in Oklahoma and like so many African Americans from Oklahoma, I have Native American (more specifically Cherokee) blood coursing through my veins. In learning about my Cherokee heritage, I learned a great deal about how my Cherokee forefathers came to be in Oklahoma. You can read about some of the history yourself at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears

In light of the recent discussion, I ventured on to Wikipedia and read what it had to say about Jeffrey Amherst. You can read it yourself at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffery_Amherst,_1st_Baron_Amherst

While the Wikipedia article does not conclusively say that Amherst engaged in using chemical warfare against the "Indians", it certainly indicates that he was generally supportive of the idea. And most importantly, it gives credence to the fact that Amherst was not the benign general that I once so proudly sang about. You may remember this song...

Amherst Song

Amherst Song

Lord Jeffrey Amherst was a soldier of the king
And he came from across the sea,
To the Frenchmen and the Indians he didn't do a thing
In the wilds of this wild country

But for his Royal Majesty he fought with all his might
For he was a soldier brave and true
He conquered all his enemies whenever they came in sight
And he looked around for more when he was through.

On Amherst, Brave Amherst
'Twas a name known to fame in days of yore
Reign ever victorious
Till the sun shall climb the heavens no more.

It once was so much fun to sing this song. But, over time, and with a growing awareness of the good general's war time activities and relations with the "Indians", I no longer feel comfortable in heartily saying "To the Frenchmen and the Indians he didn't do a thing". Of course, Amherst is the name of the College and it might seem odd to not have the College's namesake be the college mascot. However, I am also aware of the stance

that the Indigenous Americans have taken with regard to Columbus which led to many communities and states no longer recognizing Columbus Day. See

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Peoples%27_Day

I also am aware of what happened in South Africa, after the end of apartheid with regards to the renaming of cities and places that had been formally named for apartheid leaders, so, for me now, the issue of the changing of mascots is not a "foreign" idea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_placename_renaming_in_South_Africa

In conclusion, I am inclined to agree with the changing of the college's mascot and even it's signature "fight" song. Indeed, in light of the town's two most famous authors, I would suggest that we consider calling ourselves the Amherst "Poets".

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

Lord Jeffrey Amherst

Composed and posted on June 12, 2015

I have been following the debate about the retention of Lord Jeffrey Amherst as the College's mascot with some interest. Initially, I had ambivalence about the retention. Now, after reading the various posts, I find myself being inclined to support the perceived initiative of the current administration to change the mascot.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears

In light of the recent discussion, I ventured on to Wikipedia and read what it had to say about Jeffrey Amherst. You can read it yourself at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffery_Amherst,_1st_Baron_Amherst

Amherst Song

Amherst Song

Lord Jeffrey Amherst was a soldier of the king
And he came from across the sea,
To the Frenchmen and the Indians he didn't do a thing
In the wilds of this wild country

But for his Royal Majesty he fought with all his might
For he was a soldier brave and true
He conquered all his enemies whenever they came in sight
And he looked around for more when he was through.

On Amherst, Brave Amherst
'Twas a name known to fame in days of yore
Reign ever victorious
Till the sun shall climb the heavens no more.

that the Indigenous Americans have taken with regard to Columbus which led to many communities and states no longer recognizing Columbus Day. See

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Peoples%27_Day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_placename_renaming_in_South_Africa

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

The Counted

Composed and posted on June 5, 2015

For the first time, an investigative journalism project has begun to gather statistics associated with police killings. The statistics and the stories behind the statistics are compelling and, for those who are participating in the debate, are worth knowing ... and sharing. Please see

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2015/jun/01/the-counted-police-killings-us-database

and

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/18/police-killings-government-data-count

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

DuBois' Credo or Affirmation of Faith

Composed and posted on June 4, 2015

My previous post had some typos in the DuBois' Credo. This one is cleaner.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

DuBois' Credo or Affirmation of Faith

New York -- October 6, 1904

I believe in God who made of one blood all races that dwell on earth. I believe that all men, black and brown, and white, are brothers, varying, through Time and Opportunity, in form and gift and feature, but differing in no essential particular, and alike in soul and in the possibility of infinite development.

Especially do I believe in the Negro Race; in the beauty of its genius, the sweetness of its soul, and its strength in that meekness which shall inherit this turbulent earth.

I believe in pride of race and lineage itself; in pride of self so deep as to scorn injustice to other selves; in pride of lineage so great as to despise no man's father; in pride of race so chivalrous as neither to offer bastardy to the weak nor beg wedlock of the strong, knowing that men may be brothers in Christ, even though they be not brothers-in-law.

I believe in Service--humble reverent service, from the blackening of boots to the whitening of souls; for Work is Heaven, idleness hell, and Wages is the "Well done!" of the Master who summoned all them that labor and are heavy laden, making no distinction between the black sweating cotton hands of Georgia and the First Families of Virginia, since all distinctions not based on deed is devilish and not divine.

I believe in the Devil and his angels, who wantonly work to narrow the opportunity of struggling human beings, especially if they be black, who spit in the faces of the fallen, strike them that cannot strike again, believe the worst and work to prove it, hating the image which their Maker stamped on a brother's soul.

I believe in the Prince of Peace. I believe that War is Murder. I believe that armies and navies are at bottom the tinsel and braggadocio of oppression and wrong; and I believe that the wicked conquest of weaker and darker nations by nations white and stronger but foreshadows the death of that strength.

I believe in Liberty for all men; the space to stretch their arms and their souls; the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of God and love.

I believe in the training of children black even as white; the leading out of little souls into the green pastures and beside the still waters, not for pelf or peace, but for Life lit by some large vision of beauty and goodness and truth. . . .

Finally, I believe in Patience--patience with the weakness of the Weak and the strength of the Strong, the prejudice of the Ignorant and the ignorance of the Blind; patience with the tardy triumph of Joy and the mad chastening of Sorrow--patience with God.

Mak'hela at the Yiddish Book Center

Composed and posted on June 3, 2015

One of the benefits of getting a bit older is the tendency not to rush. Indeed, these days I find that lingering can be a beneficial activity. Such was the case on Sunday. As my classmates and roommates, departed to catch flights home or to return to home nearby in preparation for the coming work week, I decided to linger in the Pioneer Valley to visit one of my favorite places, the Yiddish Book Center at Hampshire College. The very existence of the Yiddish Book Center is a remarkable tale. It appears that the desire of a graduate student (and former Hampshire College graduate) to find some Yiddish books to read for his graduate studies led to a poster plea to the neighborhood community for Yiddish books and the neighborhood community responded with an avalanche of books ... an avalanche that ultimately led to the creation of the Yiddish Book Center. You can see the story behind the Yiddish Book Center at

https://www.youtube.com/user/yiddishbookcenter

As chance would have it, last Sunday, Mak'hela, the Jewish Chorus of Western Massachusetts, would perform. And, by coincidence, the first song that Mak'hela would sing was "Hinei Mah Tov". The interesting twist for me was that Mak'hela would sing "Hineh Mah Tov" not just in Hebrew but also in Luganda. According to the program notes, "In 1918, Semei Kakungulu, a Ugandan man who had previously been exposed to Christianity brought by missionaries, converted to Judaism and encouraged his entire village to follow suit. This group, known as the Abayudaya ("Children of Judah"), has flourished and grown to a community of more than 3000 believers."

I looked up the Abayudaya in Wikipedia tonight

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abayudaya

All of this was very interesting to me, but the message of the song seemed rather appropriate in light of the way the Reunion Week went. For it appears that the message of the "Hinei Mah Tov" is "How good and pleasant it is for brothers and sisters to sit together in harmony."

How good and pleasant it was indeed.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

The Biggest Week in American Birding

Composed and posted on May 11, 2015

My significant other was in Ohio this past weekend participating in what is described as the Biggest Week in American Birding. You can read about it at

http://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/

Just out of curiosity, has any one else become fascinated with this particular endeavor. Based upon the report I received, it appears to be a quite passionate pursuit ... and one that can be aesthetically pleasing. Comments, anyone?

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Friday, April 22, 2016

The Wonders of Golf

Composed and posted on May 5, 2015

Once upon a time, I would never have thought that you would find me at a golf tournament, but once upon a time is not now, and in one of those rather fortunate occurrences that occurs in life, last week I found myself not just attending one tournament, but two.

On Sunday, April 28, I went to the Swinging Skirts Golf Tournament that was held at Lake Merced Golf Course in Daly City (just south of San Francisco). At that tournament, I found myself walking with the crowd for nine holes as I watched the teenage phenom Lydia Ko win her second Swinging Skirts title. Lydia Ko turned 18 the week of the tournament and while the Swinging Skirts championship is not her coming out party, it certainly was a party for her nonetheless. She birdied the 18th hole on the last day to get into a playoff and then birdied the same hole again to win the playoff. For such a young age, she is a marvel of consistency and touch. I saw quite clearly on that day why she is the No. 1 Women's Golfer in the world.

The bookend to my week of watching golf came on Saturday, May 2, when I went to the World Golf Championship Cadillac Match Play Tournament at Harding Park in San Francisco. On that somewhat chilly Saturday afternoon, I found myself accompanying Rory McIlroy on a seemingly never ending excursion around the golf course as he engaged in a duel into the darkness with Paul Casey. I walked 21 holes that afternoon and evening and I am still sore from it. However, Rory had walked 18 holes before I even arrived at the course to win his quarterfinal match so that he could play Casey. And because the contest was stopped by darkness, Rory had to get up at 6:45 am the next morning to finish the match before going on to play two more 18 hole contests to secure the cup. Rory, the world's No. 1 golfer, was not his best on Saturday, but even when not at his best, he is better than most. By coincidence, Rory also had a birthday the same week that the tournament concluded and he made history by winning his 10th PGA Tour event before his 26th birthday, something only Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have ever achieved.

It was indeed a marvelous week of golf here in the Bay Area. But what it was not just the golf but the individuals that won that made me think about how wonderful golf can be. It is a wonder because despite all that has been written and said about Millennials, the two Millennials that I followed last week gave me reassurance that, if these two representatives are any indication, this generation can be a great one.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Only Those Who Have Felt the Knife

Composed and posted on April 15, 2015

While I was on my Baseball Pilgrimage, my Zen calendar had the following quote for April 8, 2015:

"Only those who have felt the knife

Can understand the wound,

Only the jeweler
Knows the nature of the jewel."

Mirabai

I read that quote upon arriving at work today and I was moved by it. I later looked up Mirabai and found this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabai_Devi

Interesting.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Cooperstown

Composed and posted on April 15, 2015

Mission accomplished. The Baseball Hajj has been done. Arrived in Pittsfield (site of the first collegiate baseball game in which Amherst beat Williams 73-32 in 1859) on Tuesday, April 7. The next day I drove to Cooperstown where one of my classmates from the Class of 1975 now lives. For those not familiar with where Cooperstown is, it is really in the rural part of New York far from the bright lights of the cities where the game is played today. My Cooperstown classmate, who I suspect I may have only said, at most, two sentences to over the last 45 years, graciously took me out to lunch and enlightened me about his life over the last few decades and his relatively new arrival in the bucolic village of Cooperstown. He then surprised me by using his annual membership benefits to get me into the Hall of Fame for free. What a pleasant way to begin the Pilgrimage!

The Hall was more than I expected it would be. Reading all the plaques could probably take all day by itself. But when you add in the exhibits... well, it is just not feasible to enjoy all the Hall has to offer in just one day, let alone the two hours I had. Nevertheless, I did read many of the plaques focusing most on the players that I knew. After my two hours ended and the museum had closed, I ventured over to the nearby Doubleday Field where if you listen carefully you can hear the voices of those enshrined nearby.. those honored players who continue to play the game they came to love. Sometimes a field of dreams can also become a field of souls.

I then walked over to the house of my Cooperstown classmate. He invited me in for a brief tour of his home. I thanked him for the lunch and for the museum treat and invited him to visit me next time he is in Northern California. Leaving Cooperstown, I could only reflect that it should not have taken 44 years to get to know one another, but it was better to have finally gotten to know each other a little bit than to have never known each other at all.

Thank you, my friend. I look forward to seeing you again ... soon.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

________________________________________________________________________________________

Composed and posted on February 10, 2015

As chance would have it, this year's Black Alumni Weekend ends the day before the Boston Red Sox have their home opener against the Washington Nationals. As part of my activities associated with attending the Black Alumni Weekend, it is my plan to do a Baseball Pilgrimage. I will be staying in Pittsfield, the town that claims to have a document from 1791 that references a game called "baseball". Strange because, according to some, baseball was not invented until 1839 by Abner Doubleday.

While staying in Pittsfield, I plan on taking a pilgrimage to Cooperstown, New York, to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. I have longed to see the Baseball Hall of Fame and I especially want to see the exhibits of the only two brothers that are currently enshrined there. Do any of you know who they are? Most don't, but I do.

After the pilgrimage to Cooperstown, I will concentrate on Amherst activities, including visiting the Amherst Golf Course to maybe play a round with some fellow Black Alumni attendees and to discuss the Class of 1975 golf outing slated for late May. Of course, I am also hopeful of once again leading the Sunday morning memorial ceremony in the Gerald Penny Cultural Center to honor those Black alumni, students and staff who have left their footprints on Amherst's hallowed fields. But even if I am there alone, a memorial shall be held.

After the Sunday session, I plan on returning to Boston and I tentatively would like to end my Baseball Pilgrimage by attending the Boston Red Sox season opener.

The question I have is where would you recommend that I sit in order to get a good view in Fenway Park? This is likely to be my one and only visit to Fenway. How might I maximize my viewing experience without unduly damaging my government funded wallet?

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

The Mary Lasker Conundrum

Composed and posted on April 1, 2015

One of the more compelling personalities profiled in Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies is the anti-cancer crusader Mary Lasker. You can read about her at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Lasker

In reading about Mary Lasker, I was caught by the conflict inherent in her story. The conflict lies in the fact that the funds used in part to fund the medical research sponsored by the Lasker Foundation was based upon money the advertising executive Edward Lasker obtained from his tobacco industry clients. In essence, because of Edward Lasker's success, millions of people took up smoking and perhaps millions of Americans died from cancer. But on the other hand, because of the research funded by the Lasker Foundation, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, have had their cancers cured and as is noted in the Wikipedia article:

" Eighty-one Lasker laureates have gone on to received a Nobel Prize."

The questions posed are: "Do the research advances funded by the Lasker Foundation outweigh the deaths that may be attributable to the successful advertising campaigns from which the funds for the Lasker Foundation are derived?" "On what kind of scale, does one weigh the lives of the many of today and yesterday against the promise of the lives of tomorrow?"

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

________________________________________________________________________________________

Episode 1 of Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies aired last night. If you missed it, you can see it at

http://video.pbs.org/video/2365450686/

So far the series appears to be a history of science documentary intertwined with real life stories of real life patients. It is, like almost all of Ken Burns' documentaries, very well done.

Perhaps not so coincidentally, 60 Minutes aired a segment called "Killing Cancer" this past Sunday which was more than just well done ... it was amazing. You can see the segment at

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polio-cancer-treatment-duke-university-60-minutes-scott-pelley/

The amazing aspect of this story is the use of one scourge (polio) to fight another (cancer).

There are an endless number of wonders in this world of ours. I hope you are enjoying one of them yourself today.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

________________________________________________________________________________________

I have long been a fan of our fellow Pioneer Valley alum, Ken Burns, the documentarian who is arguably America's most famous historian. Next week, Ken Burns latest documentary project will be aired. Entitled Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, the show promises to be a very informative program into the scourge that seems to touch so many of us and our families. Accordingly, I highly recommend that those who can, do tune into your local PBS station and watch with me Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

P.S. You can read more about the series at http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-st-ca-cancer-20150329-story.html#page=2

Yosef ben Jochannan, R. I. P.

Composed and posted on April 1, 2015

I read the obituary for Yosef ben Jochannan last night. It calls him a Father of African Studies while at the same time undermining his credibility as a historian. I wonder if any one out there knew Yosef ben Jochannan and can speak to his legacy. Also, the questions I pose to everyone are: "If it is true that Yosef ben Jochannan exaggerated some historical facts, does it matter?" and "Which is the greater sin exaggerating some historical facts for an Afrocentric perspective or omitting whole sections of historical facts that do not fit into a Eurocentric perspective?"

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/29/nyregion/contested-legacy-of-dr-ben-a-father-of-african-studies.html?_r=0

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Magic Bullets

Composed and posted on March 31, 2015

Episode 1 of Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies aired last night. If you missed it, you can see it at

http://video.pbs.org/video/2365450686/

So far the series appears to be a history of science documentary intertwined with real life stories of real life patients. It is, like almost all of Ken Burns' documentaries, very well done.

Perhaps not so coincidentally, 60 Minutes aired a segment called "Killing Cancer" this past Sunday which was more than just well done ... it was amazing. You can see the segment at

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polio-cancer-treatment-duke-university-60-minutes-scott-pelley/

The amazing aspect of this story is the use of one scourge (polio) to fight another (cancer).

There are an endless number of wonders in this world of ours. I hope you are enjoying one of them yourself today.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

________________________________________________________________________________________

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

P.S. You can read more about the series at http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-st-ca-cancer-20150329-story.html#page=2

The Chinese Century

Composed and posted on March 31, 2015

Uthman,

The Chinese Century is unfolding in front of our eyes. Unlike America, that continues to involve itself in the affairs of other nations and expends its limited wealth on weapons and wars, China simply sends its people and its products to all the four corners of the world garnering economic and political strength, for the most part, without creating the animosity and anger that the American presence in those countries seems to create.

Perhaps, Uthman, it is time to start learning how to speak Mandarin.

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

________________________________________________________________________________________

Sent: Mon, Mar 30, 2015 11:03 pm
Subject: Re: Artistic Exploitation

BIS ASA:

Brother Everett:

I respectfully disagree. Such 'shouting' make for 'good ending for honorable negro movie'.

You are right Mat everyone preys upon the black people of the world, that's how pervasive white supremacy/avarice capitalism is. America may be a 'paper Tiger', China is slowly going from a 'Hidden Dragon' to a 'Crouching Tiger', now that its expansionism is no longer limited by the great mountains of Asia.

I wonder who is more a threat to America's future: China (who is 2 and 0 in proxy wars with the U S) or the Islamic world.

Uthman

________________________________________________________________________________________

On Mon, Mar 30, 2015 at 6:22 PM, Mat wrote:

China is milking Africa these days for all it can. No different than the Europeans did in centuries past

Mat

______________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Artistic Exploitation

Sometimes I just shake my head and want to shout: "WAKE UP!" However, I suspect that such shouting would be like whistling in the wind.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2015/03/30/396391120/why-are-chinese-artists-representing-kenya-at-the-venice-biennale

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

Artistic Exploitation

Composed and posted on March 30, 2015

Sometimes I just shake my head and want to shout: "WAKE UP!" However, I suspect that such shouting would be like whistling in the wind.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2015/03/30/396391120/why-are-chinese-artists-representing-kenya-at-the-venice-biennale

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Must See TV: Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies

Composed and posted on March 25, 2015

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

P.S. You can read more about the series at http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-st-ca-cancer-20150329-story.html#page=2

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Africa, China's Second Continent

Composed and posted on March 24, 2015

I found this article interesting ... a continuation on the theme that whereas the 20th Century was the American Century, the 21st Century is likely to be the Chinese Century.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/books/review/chinas-second-continent-by-howard-w-french.html

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

The Golden Rule "Plus One"

Composed and posted on March 24, 2015

To paraphrase the pharoah, "So let it be written, so let it be spread."

Skip

________________________________________________________________________________________

You don't have to steal it. It's better to spread it.

Steve

__________________________________________________________________________________________

I like that "plus 1" part. That is classic and I think I shall steal it from you. See you soon.

Skip

________________________________________________________________________________________

A just cause is living your life in accordance with the Golden Rule plus 1. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - and then do a little more.

Steve

__________________________________________________________________________________________

A few miles south of San Francisco lies the country estate known as Filoli. Contrary to the Italian sounding name, the name Filoli is actually derived from the original owner's motto: " Fi ght for a just cause; Lo ve your fellow man; Li ve a good life." You can see the estate at

http://www.filoli.org/

and you can read more about the estate at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filoli

I toured the estate over the weekend and came away with the sad reminder that even for the rich and powerful, life does not go as plan. As fate would have it, the original owner, William Bourn, finished the estate in 1917 but only fully enjoyed it for five years before suffering a stroke and being confined to a wheelchair. It is said that after the stroke he also confined himself to the upper floor of mansion, limiting his full enjoyment of his rather splendid estate. It is also known that this country estate was intended to be a place where he could enjoy the visits of his only child -- his daughter -- and his grandchildren, but sadly his daughter died from pneumonia at the age of 46 in 1929.

In thinking about William Bourn's motto and his life after 1922, I wondered if he had "fought for a just cause"; if he had "loved his fellow man"; if he had "lived a good life." And perhaps even more importantly, I began to wonder what those phrases mean. What is a "just cause"? How does a person truly love his fellow man? And what actually constitutes living a good life? And are they actually still important to us in this modern world of ours.

Hoping that you have answers to these questions ... and that you have found your Filoli ... I am

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Filoli

Composed and posted on March 24, 2015

http://www.filoli.org/

and you can read more about the estate at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filoli

Hoping that you have answers to these questions ... and that you have found your Filoli ... I am

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

The Hundred Year Marathon

Composed and posted on March 10, 2015

There was a recent discussion concerning a bestselling book which asserts that China has a "secret plan" to take America's place as the dominant superpower in the world.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/china-secret-plan-take-americas-place/

I often wonder, at this stage in life, if it really matters which country wins the hundred year marathon. After all, it is highly unlikely that I will be around to see the end of the race and, based upon what I am seeing now, I am not so sure as to what the prize will be for the country that does win the race.

Also, I am mindful that one hundred years ago, The Birth of a Nation, debuted. By all accounts, it was a remarkable film but its portrayal of African Americans was justly condemned by the leaders of the African American community and it helped fuel the revival of the KKK. Looking back at the nation that existed in 1915 and comparing it to the nation that exists today, I doubt that anyone would have envisioned what this nation has become. Indeed, the marathon that the United States has run during these last 100 years has been transformative in so many ways. I would argue that the America of 2015 is a better nation than the one that existed in 1915. And if America could become a better nation, why not China?

Ultimately, perhaps, the best course of action is not to be afraid of what secret plan China may have but to instead focus on improving this country to make it better still.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins